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Elaborate decoration seen along a street in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration Singapore's Chinatown neighborhood.9601280

Elaborate decoration seen along a street in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration Singapore's Chinatown neighborhood.

REUTERS/May Naji

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Divers perform a dragon dance during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at an aquarium in Beijing. The Lunar New Year begins on February 10 and marks the start of the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. 9601280

Divers perform a dragon dance during an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at an aquarium in Beijing. The Lunar New Year begins on February 10 and marks the start of the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac.

REUTERS/China Daily

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A girl holding red lanterns used for decoration runs in a park ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing. 9601280

A girl holding red lanterns used for decoration runs in a park ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing.

REUTERS/Jaso

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Participants dressed in festive regalia take part in the annual Chinese New Year parade in Washington, DC's Chinatown neighborhood.9601280

Participants dressed in festive regalia take part in the annual Chinese New Year parade in Washington, DC's Chinatown neighborhood.

Getty Images/Alex Wong

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Members of a dragon team perform during the Chinese New Year festival and parade in San Francisco. The city's Chinese New Year parade is the largest of its kind in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators.9601280

Members of a dragon team perform during the Chinese New Year festival and parade in San Francisco. The city's Chinese New Year parade is the largest of its kind in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

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A woman rides a float decorated with brightly colored lanterns during the Chinese New Year festival and parade in San Francisco.9601280

A woman rides a float decorated with brightly colored lanterns during the Chinese New Year festival and parade in San Francisco.

Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

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Children practice drumming before the start of the Chinese New Year festival in San Francisco.9601280

Children practice drumming before the start of the Chinese New Year festival in San Francisco.

Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

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People offer prayers to the deities during a midnight ceremony in Chinatown at the Chua Thien Hau Temple in LA. Every year in the Chinese lunar calendar is associated with an animal, and positive characteristics associated with that animal are believed to be bestowed upon people born in that year.9601280

People offer prayers to the deities during a midnight ceremony in Chinatown at the Chua Thien Hau Temple in LA. Every year in the Chinese lunar calendar is associated with an animal, and positive characteristics associated with that animal are believed to be bestowed upon people born in that year.

Getty Images/David McNew

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"Wow, that’s amazing." Chinese ethnic dancers react backstage as they watch a performance during the Chinese New Year in Bangkok.9601280

"Wow, that’s amazing." Chinese ethnic dancers react backstage as they watch a performance during the Chinese New Year in Bangkok.

Getty

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People place gifts and money in the mouth of a dancing dragon during the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade in NYC.9601280

People place gifts and money in the mouth of a dancing dragon during the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade in NYC.

Getty Images/Chris McGrath

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Parade participants prepare to march in the Chinese New Year Golden Dragon Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of LA.9601280

Parade participants prepare to march in the Chinese New Year Golden Dragon Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of LA.

Getty Images/J. Emilio Flores

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Artists and dancers take part in Chinese New Year celebrations in Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace in Madrid.9601280

Artists and dancers take part in Chinese New Year celebrations in Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Getty Images/Raul Urbina

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Young performers have fun and pose for the camera before the start of the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade in Sydney.9601280

Young performers have fun and pose for the camera before the start of the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade in Sydney.

Getty Images/Lisa Maree Williams

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Gearing up. Chinese girls practice before a performance during Chinese New Year celebrations in the Chinatown neighborhood in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.9601280

Gearing up. Chinese girls practice before a performance during Chinese New Year celebrations in the Chinatown neighborhood in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Reuters

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Show time! A crowd watches a lion dance performance during Chinese New Year celebrations in NYC's Chinatown district.9601280

Show time! A crowd watches a lion dance performance during Chinese New Year celebrations in NYC's Chinatown district.

Reuters

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Performers reenact an ancient Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ceremony in which emperors prayed for good fortune and harvest. The ceremony is part of an annual Chinese New Year celebration at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.9601280

Performers reenact an ancient Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ceremony in which emperors prayed for good fortune and harvest. The ceremony is part of an annual Chinese New Year celebration at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

Reuters/Jason Lee

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Participants perform a dragon dance during a Chinese New Year celebration in Vina del Mar, Chile, about 75 miles northwest of the capital city of Santiago.9601280

Participants perform a dragon dance during a Chinese New Year celebration in Vina del Mar, Chile, about 75 miles northwest of the capital city of Santiago.

Reuters

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Wiener Christkindlmarkt

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Wiener Christkindlmarkt Travel to Vienna, Austria, to explore the Wiener Christkinlmarkt. This traditional Christmas market, located in City Hall Square, has 145 stalls selling spiced wine, gingerbread, unique arts and crafts and much more.9601280

Wiener Christkindlmarkt Travel to Vienna, Austria, to explore the Wiener Christkinlmarkt. This traditional Christmas market, located in City Hall Square, has 145 stalls selling spiced wine, gingerbread, unique arts and crafts and much more.

Wiener Christkindlmarkt

Christmas Mariachi Festival

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Christmas Mariachi FestivalMariachi bands heat things up in Phoenix, AZ, during the holidays. This annual festival features the best, well-known mariachi singers and bands from Latin America, including Jose Feliciano and Vikki Carr.9601280

Christmas Mariachi FestivalMariachi bands heat things up in Phoenix, AZ, during the holidays. This annual festival features the best, well-known mariachi singers and bands from Latin America, including Jose Feliciano and Vikki Carr.

Christmas Mariachi Festival

Miami's White Party Week

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White Party Week Experience the Miami Beach lifestyle, and enjoy good food and drink during 6 days of all-male and all-female parties, including the Women’s White Party Weekend. Party-goers spend money that goes to Care Resource, a organization that funds multiple HIV/AIDS programs.9601280

White Party Week Experience the Miami Beach lifestyle, and enjoy good food and drink during 6 days of all-male and all-female parties, including the Women’s White Party Weekend. Party-goers spend money that goes to Care Resource, a organization that funds multiple HIV/AIDS programs.

R. Davis, Care Resource

Chicago's Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights

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Magnificent Mile Festival of LightsIf you’re visiting Chicago during the holidays, check out this illuminated festival. It’s known for its holiday-inspired store window displays, and its star-studded Disney procession on opening day. Be sure to get a front row seat to see the parade, live music and fireworks.9601280

Magnificent Mile Festival of LightsIf you’re visiting Chicago during the holidays, check out this illuminated festival. It’s known for its holiday-inspired store window displays, and its star-studded Disney procession on opening day. Be sure to get a front row seat to see the parade, live music and fireworks.

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Key West Sushi DropCelebrate your New Year’s Eve in Key West, watching a campy, extravagantly dressed drag queen being lowered from the Bourbon Street Pub, in a large, red, high-heel shoe. Once the drag queen has dropped, ring in the New Year at the fabulous block party.9601280

Key West Sushi DropCelebrate your New Year’s Eve in Key West, watching a campy, extravagantly dressed drag queen being lowered from the Bourbon Street Pub, in a large, red, high-heel shoe. Once the drag queen has dropped, ring in the New Year at the fabulous block party.

Reuters

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

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Harbin International Ice and Snow FestivalIt’s 1 of the largest ice festivals in the world, and it attracts 1,000s of people to Northeastern China, to see snow carvings, ice sculptures, fireworks. There’s also skiing, ice sliding and swimming, for those who can take the chilly, subzero dip in the Songhua River.9601280

Harbin International Ice and Snow FestivalIt’s 1 of the largest ice festivals in the world, and it attracts 1,000s of people to Northeastern China, to see snow carvings, ice sculptures, fireworks. There’s also skiing, ice sliding and swimming, for those who can take the chilly, subzero dip in the Songhua River.

Reuters

Taste of Christmas

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Taste of ChristmasThis annual event in London has the UK’s leading chefs demonstrate their techniques for holiday food preparation. There are also special tasting workshops for wine, cheese and chocolate.9601280

Taste of ChristmasThis annual event in London has the UK’s leading chefs demonstrate their techniques for holiday food preparation. There are also special tasting workshops for wine, cheese and chocolate.

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Pink Christmas Hit the ice skating rink donned in gay apparel. Amsterdam’s Pink Christmas festival is a special holiday celebration for the LGBT community. Some of the events and activities include ice skating at Rembradtplein, a catwalk fashion show on Zeedijk Street and discounts at local gay bars and shops.9601280

Pink Christmas Hit the ice skating rink donned in gay apparel. Amsterdam’s Pink Christmas festival is a special holiday celebration for the LGBT community. Some of the events and activities include ice skating at Rembradtplein, a catwalk fashion show on Zeedijk Street and discounts at local gay bars and shops.

Jerusalem’s Old City

A Hanukkah menorah (also known as a “chanukiah”) glows in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City. The 8-day festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century B.C.9601280

A Hanukkah menorah (also known as a “chanukiah”) glows in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City. The 8-day festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century B.C.

Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Mumbai, India

Mumbai, India

The father of a slain rabbi's wife lights a menorah in front of the landmark Gateway of India monument in Mumbai, a month after militants attacked several sites in the city, including a Jewish cultural center, back in 2008. Mumbai is currently home to 8 synagogues. Plans are underway to rebuild the Jewish center.9601280

The father of a slain rabbi's wife lights a menorah in front of the landmark Gateway of India monument in Mumbai, a month after militants attacked several sites in the city, including a Jewish cultural center, back in 2008. Mumbai is currently home to 8 synagogues. Plans are underway to rebuild the Jewish center.

Pal Pillai/ AFP/ Getty Images

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

A menorah stands on the White House Ellipse during the annual national Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony in Washington, DC. In 1979, Jimmy Carter became the first US president to participate in a public Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony on the National Mall. Later, President Bill Clinton led the first ceremony of its kind inside the White House. 9601280

A menorah stands on the White House Ellipse during the annual national Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony in Washington, DC. In 1979, Jimmy Carter became the first US president to participate in a public Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony on the National Mall. Later, President Bill Clinton led the first ceremony of its kind inside the White House.

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

NYC

NYC

Head to NYC to see the world’s largest Hanukkah menorah -- 32 feet high and weighing 4,000 pounds. The 9-branched, gold-colored steel candelabrum stands on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, across from Central Park, during the holiday, and was designed by contemporary Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.9601280

Head to NYC to see the world’s largest Hanukkah menorah -- 32 feet high and weighing 4,000 pounds. The 9-branched, gold-colored steel candelabrum stands on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, across from Central Park, during the holiday, and was designed by contemporary Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.

Chris Hondros/Getty Images

Berlin

Berlin

Rabbis Shmuel Segal and Yehuda Teichtal of the Jewish Orthodox group Chabad help erect a menorah in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on Dec. 7, 2012, ahead of Hanukkah celebrations. These days, Berlin is seeing a resurgence of Jewish life, including an estimated 20,000 Israelis.9601280

Rabbis Shmuel Segal and Yehuda Teichtal of the Jewish Orthodox group Chabad help erect a menorah in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on Dec. 7, 2012, ahead of Hanukkah celebrations. These days, Berlin is seeing a resurgence of Jewish life, including an estimated 20,000 Israelis.

Reuters/Thomas Peter

Paris

Paris

With the Eiffel Tower in the background, the chief rabbi of France (right) and the Israeli ambassador to France (center), prepare to light a menorah on Dec. 20, 2011, at the Champs de Mars in Paris. These days, France is home to nearly 500,000 Jews.9601280

With the Eiffel Tower in the background, the chief rabbi of France (right) and the Israeli ambassador to France (center), prepare to light a menorah on Dec. 20, 2011, at the Champs de Mars in Paris. These days, France is home to nearly 500,000 Jews.

Mehdi Fedouach/AFP/Getty Images

London’s Trafalgar Square

London’s Trafalgar Square

London’s Trafalgar Square glows from the light of a giant menorah, as a crowd watches the festivities unfold. The lighting ceremony is an annual event in this central London space, in a city that’s home to roughly 250,000 Jews.9601280

London’s Trafalgar Square glows from the light of a giant menorah, as a crowd watches the festivities unfold. The lighting ceremony is an annual event in this central London space, in a city that’s home to roughly 250,000 Jews.

Reuters/Luke MacGregor

South Beach Miami

South Beach Miami

A menorah made out of … seashells? Yep, that’s right. This towering creation -- made of more than 10,000 seashells, each personally collected by the artist himself -- was the handiwork of jazz musician Roger Abramson.9601280

A menorah made out of … seashells? Yep, that’s right. This towering creation -- made of more than 10,000 seashells, each personally collected by the artist himself -- was the handiwork of jazz musician Roger Abramson.

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We love pandas, including this 3-month-old giant panda at the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Yaan of Sichuan Province, China.9601280

We love pandas, including this 3-month-old giant panda at the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Yaan of Sichuan Province, China.

Getty Images/China Photos

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We love the Great Wall of China. The massive stone wall, built since the 5th century BC, protected the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intruders. The Great Wall stretches 5,500 miles from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur. We recommend you add it to your must-see list when visiting China.9601280

We love the Great Wall of China. The massive stone wall, built since the 5th century BC, protected the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intruders. The Great Wall stretches 5,500 miles from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur. We recommend you add it to your must-see list when visiting China.

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We love Chinese acupuncture techniques and medicinal therapy. The treatment, known as Tiefu, is widely used in the therapy of bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and other diseases. This doctor is treating a patient for asthma by applying herbal medicine on the acupuncture points.9601280

We love Chinese acupuncture techniques and medicinal therapy. The treatment, known as Tiefu, is widely used in the therapy of bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and other diseases. This doctor is treating a patient for asthma by applying herbal medicine on the acupuncture points.

Getty Images/China Photos

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We love China's world-class gymnasts. This young boy practices gymnastics at a sports school in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, China. There are around 3,000 sports schools in China, recruiting thousands of young children and preparing the elites for the Olympics.9601280

We love China's world-class gymnasts. This young boy practices gymnastics at a sports school in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, China. There are around 3,000 sports schools in China, recruiting thousands of young children and preparing the elites for the Olympics.

Getty Images/China Photos

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We love dim sum, a Cantonese term for a type of Chinese dish that involves small portions of food, usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. The dim sum cuisine started when teahouses would offer tea and small bites of food for travelers who needed a place to rest along the famous Silk Road trade routes.9601280

We love dim sum, a Cantonese term for a type of Chinese dish that involves small portions of food, usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. The dim sum cuisine started when teahouses would offer tea and small bites of food for travelers who needed a place to rest along the famous Silk Road trade routes.

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We love Chinese dragons. The legendary creatures are popular throughout China. In Chinese mythology, dragons are believed to have control over water, rainfall, hurricanes and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength and good luck.9601280

We love Chinese dragons. The legendary creatures are popular throughout China. In Chinese mythology, dragons are believed to have control over water, rainfall, hurricanes and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength and good luck.

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We love Feng shui, a popular design aesthetic believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help improve life by channeling chi (positive energy) throughout a space.9601280

We love Feng shui, a popular design aesthetic believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help improve life by channeling chi (positive energy) throughout a space.

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Noodles are a staple in Chinese cuisine. The types of noodles depend on the how they are made, but we love them all, including lo mein, shrimp roe noodles, rice vermicelli and silver needle noodles. During the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279), noodle shops were very popular and remained open all night -- a practice you'll still find in modern-day China.9601280

Noodles are a staple in Chinese cuisine. The types of noodles depend on the how they are made, but we love them all, including lo mein, shrimp roe noodles, rice vermicelli and silver needle noodles. During the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279), noodle shops were very popular and remained open all night -- a practice you'll still find in modern-day China.

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The Forbidden City -- the world's largest palace complex -- was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today thousands of visitors flock to the complex, located in the heart of Beijing, to view royal family heirlooms and rare treasures. It's only a short walk from Tiananmen Square.9601280

The Forbidden City -- the world's largest palace complex -- was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today thousands of visitors flock to the complex, located in the heart of Beijing, to view royal family heirlooms and rare treasures. It's only a short walk from Tiananmen Square.

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We love the delicious taste of wonton soup with all the fixins'. Wonton is a type of dumpling found in a number of Chinese dishes.9601280

We love the delicious taste of wonton soup with all the fixins'. Wonton is a type of dumpling found in a number of Chinese dishes.

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We love kung fu. A warrior monk displays his kung fu skills near the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China. The Shaolin Temple was built in AD 495 during the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581). Shaolin kung fu, with its incredible strength, vitality and flexibility, is expected to be included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list.9601280

We love kung fu. A warrior monk displays his kung fu skills near the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China. The Shaolin Temple was built in AD 495 during the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581). Shaolin kung fu, with its incredible strength, vitality and flexibility, is expected to be included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list.

Getty Images/Cancan Chu

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Green tea originated in China. Some evidence suggests that people who drink green tea regularly are at a lower risk for heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. If you're more of a coffee drinker, why not try a bowl of green tea ice cream (pictured)?9601280

Green tea originated in China. Some evidence suggests that people who drink green tea regularly are at a lower risk for heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. If you're more of a coffee drinker, why not try a bowl of green tea ice cream (pictured)?

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We love the iconic Terracotta Army that was buried with Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China, in 210 BC. In 1974, local farmers found the stone statues in the Lintong District of China's Shaanxi province. Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huangdi in the afterlife.9601280

We love the iconic Terracotta Army that was buried with Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China, in 210 BC. In 1974, local farmers found the stone statues in the Lintong District of China's Shaanxi province. Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huangdi in the afterlife.

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We love Chinese actor and martial artist Jackie Chan (pictured) and other popular celebs, including famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, actor and martial artist Jet Li and pro basketball player Yao Ming.9601280

We love Chinese actor and martial artist Jackie Chan (pictured) and other popular celebs, including famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, actor and martial artist Jet Li and pro basketball player Yao Ming.